FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - DEBATE: Which card is best? CSR vs Amex Plat vs other premium cards

Jan 31, 2020 | 4:39 pm

#18

synzero

Join Date: Jul 2019

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Programs: American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve

Posts: 625

Quote:

Originally Posted by richarddd

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31691527-post113.html especially the last sentance

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31693733-post122.html

For me, the main value of the Amex Plat would be IAP, but the few tests I've had people run have not shown much value. I don't see value in their lounges and see many reports of overcrowding https://www.google.com/search?q=cent...ge+too+crowded Virtuoso and other TAs seem to provide more value than FHR, even with the hotel status. Credit card as status symbol? Magazine? This no doubt colors my view of Amex.

I agree that the CSR update is a negative as a whole.

I agree with RedSun -- Centurion lounges are a huge perk. Everyone is complaining about overcrowding but honestly even at the much-despised SFO I still find a lot of value in it. Great place to grab a decent free meal and drinks for myself and my wife and son if they're traveling with me. On my solo business trips on Delta I have SkyClub access, which are also great lounges. Every time saving a lot on food and drink. I also have gotten a ton of value from the concierge even though they're not what they used to be -- still have gotten some great restaurant reservations, tickets, restaurant recommendations far better than what I've gotten from Chase "Visa Infinite".

And the whole thing is $50/year for me since given my travel and purchase patterns it's easy for me to maximize all $500 of the credits. For me the Amex Plat is a no brainer keeper card regardless of what other cards offer.

But I ALSO have the CSR and get a ton of value from those perks. In fact, at $550/year with Lyft Pink, 10x points on Lyft, $60 in DoorDash, plus DashPass in the first year it is easily hundreds of dollars of value more than I got from the $450/year version of the card, at least for this first year. Frankly PP lounges in the US tend to be crappy and frequently much, much worse than even the worst Centurion Lounge in terms of both overcrowding and quality. But I love Hyatt and I really maximize Hyatt points.

So, why not both?

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